Ruins of Matsusaka Castle

Matsusaka Castle is located in Matsusaka city, in the middle part of Mie Prefecture. The castle was built by GAMO Ujisato in 1588. GOMO Ujisato was a retainer of TOYOTOMI Hideyoshi. During the Edo Age, the middle and southern part of Mie areas including the Matsusaka area belonged to the Kishu Domain, where the capital was Wakayama. Matsusaka castle was a branch castle of Wakayama Castle.

"Omote Mon" Gate
Stone walls at "Omote Mon" Gate

I believe Matsusaka Castle is a castle of stone walls. The stone walls with more than ten meters high surround the castle. "Ninomaru" bailey is located on the top of the stone walls.

"Honmaru" bailey is another ten meters higher from "Ninomaru" bailey. You will see the Museum of History and Folklore on "Ninomaru" from "Honmaru" bailey. The building of the Museum was built in 1812, the Meiji Age after Mastusaka Castle was abandoned.

To the south of "Honmaru" bailey, you will also see beautiful structures of stone walls at the site of "Ura Mon" gate.

To the west of "Honmaru" bailey, "Kidaimaru" bailey is located. This is the site of a corner tower. Unfortunately, no original buildings of Matsusaka Castle remained.

To the south of the main bailey of Masaka Castle, the former residence of MOTOORI Yorinaga is located. MOTOORI Yorinaga (1730 to 1801 in the Edo Age) was from Matsusaka and the house was originally located in downtown Matsusaka.

Former residence of MOTOORI Yorinaga

MOTOORI Yorinaga was well-known as he studied "Kojiki". "Kojiki" was written in the early eighth century and describes the history of Japan. By the Edo Age, "Kojiki" became undecipherable. MOTOORI Yorinaga succeeded in deciphering "Kojiki" and issue "Kojikiden", commentaries of "Kojiki".

Warehouse built in the Edo Age

To the south of Matsusaka Castle, houses of samurai's who served at Matsusaka Castle remain. A warehouse built in the Edo Age also remains.

How to get there
Matsusaka Castle is a 20 minute walk from Matsusaka Station on both the Kintetsu and JR lines. It is convenient to take a Kintetsu Limited Express from Kintetu-Nagoya or Osaka-Namba stations to Matsusaka Station.

Other Historical Sites near by:
Ruins of Tsu Castle
Ruins of Tamaru Castle
Ise Shrine